Update: All of McFaddin Refuge now open to public

Public access to areas west of Clam Lake Road in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge has been restored after a two-day wildfire has been contained.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the wildfire burned approximately 13,000 acres.

Normal waterfowl hunt operations will resume Saturday.

Previous reporting:

A wildfire that started Monday in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge has closed off certain areas to the public due to “extremely dangerous” conditions.

Access to the refuge in areas that lay west of Clam Lake Road will be closed to the public until after the fire can be fully contained by firefighters. Firefighters from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working to contain it.

The access restrictions include waterfowl hunt areas, fishing areas and beach access that lay west of Clam Lake Road.

The refuge asks the public to not build campfires or burn trash/debris piles, use fireworks and properly dispose of cigarettes this week.